About one quarter of the world’s adults have excess fat accumulation in the the liver called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This can lead to liver inflammation, scarring (cirrhosis), and liver cancer. The adverse effects of liver fat can be prevented by loss of that fat. The most common medical recommendation to accomplish that is to loss excess body weight via any reasonable method.
A study published in Gut last year found greater reduction in liver fat in those eating a “green-Mediterranean” diet compared to a regular Mediterranean diet over 18 months. Both diets were supplemented with walnuts 28 grams/day. Details of the green-Med diet:
In addition to [physical activity] and the provision of 28 g/day walnuts, the green-MED diet was restricted in processed and red meat and was richer in plants and polyphenols. The participants were guided to further consume the following provided items: 3–4 cups/day of green tea and 100 g/day of frozen Wolffia globosa (Mankai strain) plant frozen cubes, as a green shake replacing dinner. Both green tea and Mankai together provided additional daily intake of 800 mg polyphenols ((GAE), according to Phenol-Explorer and Eurofins lab analysis, including catechins (flavanols)) beyond the polyphenol content in the prescribed MED diet. Both the MED and green-MED diets were equally calorie-restricted (1500–1800 kcal/day for men and 1200–1400 kcal/day for women).
The researchers don’t tell us where to get frozen Wolffia globosa (Mankai strain) plant frozen cubes.
Study participants were almost all men, so results may not apply to women.
Click for some of the details in Endocrinology Advisor.
Steve Parker, M.D.
Advanced Mediterranean Diet 